Efficacy and Safety of Apixaban in Cancer-Associated Thromboembolism: A Narrative Review

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CA-VTE) is a leading, severe, and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with malignancy. Low–molecular-weight heparin has historically been the standard of care; however, direct oral anticoagulants, particularly direct factor Xa inhibitors, have emerged as effective alternatives. These agents offer the convenience of oral administration, predictable pharmacokinetics, elimination of routine laboratory monitoring, and improved adherence. Despite the expanding role of direct oral anticoagulants in CA-VTE management, concerns regarding bleeding risk—particularly in patients with gastrointestinal and genitourinary malignancies—remain central to clinical decision-making. In this narrative review, we evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical applicability of apixaban for the treatment and prophylaxis of CA-VTE. Current evidence from randomized controlled trials, including CARAVAGGIO and AMPLIFY, demonstrates that apixaban has noninferior efficacy compared with low–molecular-weight heparin and conventional anticoagulation strategies, with comparable or lower rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism. In addition, apixaban appears to have a favorable safety profile, with no statistically significant increase in major bleeding in selected cancer populations, including those without active gastrointestinal lesions. Apixaban’s pharmacokinetic properties, including limited renal clearance and stable drug exposure, further enhance its clinical utility in oncologic populations. However, evidence supporting apixaban use across all cancer subtypes remains limited and heterogeneous, highlighting the need for additional comparative and real-world studies.